Fluid product dispenser

ABSTRACT

A fluid dispenser comprising a body ( 1 ), a fluid reservoir ( 2 ), a dispenser member, such as a pump or a valve, mounted on said reservoir ( 2 ), and a dose indicator device for indicating the number of doses of fluid that have been dispensed or that remain to be dispensed from said reservoir, the dispenser being characterized in that said dose indicator device includes a first safety system for actuating the dose indicator device once the dispenser has performed a predetermined incomplete actuation stroke, even if the dispenser does not perform the complete actuation stroke.

The present invention relates to a fluid dispenser, and moreparticularly to such a dispenser including a dose indicator device forindicating to the user the number of doses that have been dispensed orthat remain to be dispensed from the reservoir of said fluid dispenser.

Dose indicator devices are well known, and can include either counters,displaying a number corresponding to the number of doses that have beendispensed or that remain to be dispensed, or indicators, informing theuser by means of symbols, color codes, or similar numbers, about thenumber of doses that have been dispensed or that remain to be dispensed.In particular, in fluid dispensers containing pharmaceuticals, it isimportant for the dose indicator device to function in reliable manner,and in particular for it to count the dispensing of a dose each time thefluid is dispensed, regardless of whether the dose is complete orincomplete, e.g. because of accidental actuation or actuation that isinterrupted before the end of the actuation cycle. It is generallypreferable for the dispensing of an incomplete dose to be counted as acomplete dose rather than for it not to be counted at all, since failureto count could present a high risk to the user, informing the user of areservoir content that is greater than the reality. In dispensers ofpharmaceuticals, it is thus generally desirable to avoid any risk ofunder-counting, in particular by triggering counting just before theactive substance is expelled. Another important point with doseindicator devices for dispensers of pharmaceuticals is that onceactuation has taken place and a dose has been dispensed, while thedispenser is returning to its rest position, any further actuation thatis performed before the end of the return stroke of the dispenser, andthat would cause a complete or incomplete dose to be dispensed, shouldalso be counted by the indicator device, likewise to avoid any risk ofunder-counting. In most fluid dispensers, once a dose has beendispensed, the next dose is loaded into the chamber of the dispensermember (pump or valve) while the dispenser is returning to its restposition. In order to avoid any risk of under-counting during the returnstroke of the dispenser, it is desirable for the fluid dispenser to beblocked as soon as the return stroke has allowed the chamber to befilled, and until the indicator device is once again able to count theactuation of the dispenser.

An object of the present invention is to provide a fluid dispenser whichsatisfies one or more of the above-mentioned requirements.

In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide a fluiddispenser including a dose indicator device that prevents any risk ofunder-counting, i.e. that guarantees that the indicator device isactuated each time fluid is dispended by the fluid dispenser.

When the actuation of the dispenser does not cause any fluid to bedispensed, another object of the present invention is to provide such adispenser that prevents dose dispensing from being counted, and thusprevents the dose indicator device from being actuated.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a fluiddispenser that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and to assemble,and that is reliable in use.

The present invention thus provides a fluid dispenser comprising a body,a fluid reservoir, a dispenser member, such as a pump or a valve,mounted on said reservoir, and a dose indicator device for indicatingthe number of doses of fluid that have been dispensed or that remain tobe dispensed from said reservoir, the dispenser being characterized inthat said dose indicator device includes a first safety system foractuating the dose indicator device once the dispenser has performed apredetermined incomplete actuation stroke, even if the dispenser doesnot perform the complete actuation stroke.

Preferably, said dose indicator device includes a second safety systemwhich, during the return stroke of the dispenser after dispensing adose, prevents the pharmaceutical from being expelled again until saiddispenser has completed a predetermined incomplete return stroke, saiddispenser and said dose indicator device being capable of being actuatedonce again, once the predetermined incomplete return stroke has beenperformed, even if the dispenser does not perform the complete returnstroke and said dispenser is actuated once again before returning to itrest position.

Advantageously, said reservoir is axially displaceable relative to saidbody, said body including at least one stationary gear, said doseindicator device including a counter element that is displaceableaxially and in rotation relative to said body, said counter elementco-operating, while the dispenser is being actuated, firstly with saidat least one stationary gear of said body, and secondly with saidreservoir.

In a first embodiment of the invention, said body includes a stationarygear co-operating with a first gear of said counter element, saidcounter element including a second gear co-operating with an actuatorgear of an actuator member of the dispenser, the teeth of said secondgear and/or of said actuator gear being made so that axial displacementof the actuator member causes said counter element to be displacedaxially and in rotation, the stationary gear preventing said counterelement from turning until said counter element no longer co-operateswith said stationary gear, after a predetermined axial displacement ofsaid counter element corresponding to said predetermined incompleteactuation stroke of the dispenser.

The stationary gear advantageously includes abutment means preventingsaid counter element from turning once said counter element has turnedat least in part, an additional axial displacement of said counterelement being necessary to enable it to continue to turn and/or toreturn the indicator device to its rest position. These abutmentsposition the second gear of the counter element in such a manner thatthe dispenser is blocked on its return prior to the chamber being filledand until its rest position.

Advantageously, said abutment means comprise an axial projection.

Advantageously, said stationary gear and/or said counter elementinclude(s) blocking means preventing the dispenser from being actuatedonce again, and thus preventing any pharmaceutical from being expelledonce again, while the counter element is returning to its rest positionafter a preceding actuation, and until the dispenser has completed apredetermined incomplete return stroke, after which the indicator devicecan count the next dose.

Advantageously, said blocking means comprise axial projections providedon the body and on the counter element respectively, each of saidprojections having an axial end-profile that is plane, said projectionsfacing each other, at least in part, until the counter element hasturned sufficiently to offset said projections, with that sufficientturn corresponding to said predetermined incomplete return stroke of thedispenser.

Advantageously, the teeth of the second gear of the counter elementinclude an intermediate step, the actuator member co-operating with saidstep while the dispenser is being actuated, and co-operating with theend wall of said second gear while returning to the rest position, afterbeing actuated, the displacement between the intermediate step and theend wall being obtained by said counter element turning.

Advantageously, once the predetermined incomplete return stroke has beenperformed, the actuator member is positioned facing the following toothof the second gear of the counter element, enabling the dispenser andthe dose indicator device to be actuated once again.

In a second embodiment of the present invention, said body includes afirst stationary gear and a second stationary gear, said counter elementincluding a first gear for co-operating with said first stationary gearand a second gear for co-operating with said second stationary gear,said counter element being put axially into contact with the actuatormember of the dispenser by means of a return spring and being turnablerelative to said actuator member, the teeth of said second gear and ofsaid second stationary gear being oblique, at least in part, so that anaxial displacement of the actuator member initially causes said counterelement to be displaced axially over a predetermined incompleteactuation stroke until the oblique portion of said second gear of thecounter element co-operates with said oblique portion of said secondstationary gear, causing the counter element to be turned over a firstportion of a turn cycle, the teeth of said first gear and of said firststationary gear being oblique, at least in part, so that when thecounter element returns to its rest position, it is caused to turn so asto terminate its turn cycle, which corresponds to one actuation of thedispenser being counted.

Advantageously, said first and second stationary gears of the bodyand/or said first and second gears of the counter element are offsetrelative to each other, so that whenever the counter element isdisplaceable in rotation, returning said counter element to its restposition without terminating the actuation stroke of the dispensercauses the counter element to turn over its complete turn cycle,guaranteeing that one actuation of the dispenser is counted after saidpredetermined incomplete actuation stroke.

Advantageously, said second stationary gear of the body and/or saidsecond gear of the counter element include(s) blocking means preventingthe dispenser from being actuated once again, and thus preventing anypharmaceutical from being expelled once again, while the counter elementis returning to its rest position following a preceding actuation, anduntil said dispenser has performed a predetermined incomplete returnstroke, after which the indicator device can count the next dose.

Advantageously, said blocking means have an axial end-profile that isplane, at least in part, and that is formed on the teeth of said secondstationary gear of the body and on the teeth of said second gear of thecounter element, said plane profiles of said teeth facing each other, atleast in part, until the counter element has completed a turn that issufficient to offset said teeth, with that sufficient turn correspondingto said predetermined incomplete return stroke of the dispenser.

Advantageously, said actuator member of the dispenser is secured to saidreservoir and is displaced axially therewith.

In a third embodiment of the present invention, said body includes afirst stationary gear and a second stationary gear, said counter elementcomprising a first gear for co-operating with said first stationarygear, a second gear for co-operating with said second stationary gear,and a third gear for co-operating with an actuator gear secured to anactuator member of the dispenser, the teeth of said third gear and/or ofsaid actuator gear being made so that axial displacement of the actuatormember causes said counter element to be displaced axially and inrotation, the first stationary gear preventing said counter element fromturning until said counter element no longer co-operates with saidstationary gear, after a predetermined axial displacement of saidcounter element corresponding to said predetermined incomplete actuationstroke of the dispenser.

Advantageously, said second stationary gear of the body and/or saidsecond gear of the counter element include(s) blocking means preventingthe dispenser from being actuated once again, and thus preventing anypharmaceutical from being expelled once again, while the counter elementis returning to its rest position following a preceding actuation, untilsaid dispenser has performed a predetermined incomplete return stroke,after which the indicator device can count the next dose.

Advantageously, said blocking means have an axial end-profile that isplane and that is formed on the teeth of said second stationary gear andon the teeth of said second gear, said teeth facing each other, at leastin part, until the counter element has completed a turn that issufficient to offset said teeth, with that sufficient turn correspondingto said predetermined incomplete return stroke of the dispenser.

Advantageously, said actuator gear includes abutment means limiting theextent to which the counter element can turn, until the actuator memberhas performed said predetermined incomplete return stroke.

Advantageously, said abutment means comprise an axial projection formedon said actuator gear.

Advantageously, said actuator member of the dispenser is secured to saidreservoir and is displaced axially therewith.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention appearmore clearly from the following detailed description of threeembodiments thereof, given by way of non-limiting example, and withreference to the accompanying drawings, and in which:

FIGS. 1 to 8 are diagrams of a fluid dispenser constituting a firstembodiment of the present invention, showing the successive positions ofthe dispenser during an actuation cycle;

FIGS. 9 to 12 are diagrams of a dispenser constituting a secondembodiment of the present invention, also showing various positions ofthe dispenser during the actuation cycle; and

FIGS. 13 to 21 are diagrams of a fluid dispenser constituting a thirdembodiment of the present invention, showing various positions of thedispenser during the actuation cycle.

The descriptions of the three embodiments below relate to actuationcycles of the dispenser, and to the various functional features of theindicator device that make it possible to guarantee operational andcounting reliability of said indicator device. The drawings to which thepresent description refers are therefore highly simplified diagramswhich do not show the fluid dispenser in detail, but only in verydiagrammatic manner relating to the various portions that can be movedrelative to one another, for explaining the actuation cycle of saiddispenser and of said indicator device.

It should be observed that the present invention applies moreparticularly to “Metered Dose Inhaler” (MDI) devices which comprise ametering valve mounted on a reservoir containing the fluid and apropellant gas, the displacement of the reservoir relative to the valvemember causing a dose of fluid to be dispensed by means of saidpropellant gas. The present invention is not limited to that particularapplication, but said application represents the preferred applicationof the present invention.

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 8, a first embodiment of the presentinvention is described. The dispenser includes the body 1, the reservoir2, and a dispenser member 3 mounted on a reservoir 2. In this firstembodiment, the dispenser includes a reservoir 2 that is axiallydisplaceable in a body 1, which is considered below as being thestationary portion of the dispenser. The axial displacement of thereservoir 2 relative to the body 1 actuates the dispenser member 3(shown in FIG. 1) and thus causes a dose of fluid to be dispensed fromsaid reservoir. In this first embodiment, the dispenser includes anactuator member 30 on which the user exerts an axial actuation force soas to actuate the dispenser and thus displace said reservoir 2 relativeto the body 1. The dispenser further includes a dose indicator devicefor counting or indicating the dispensing of one fluid dose each timethe dispenser is actuated. Thus, by means of the indicator device, theuser can tell how many doses have been dispensed from said reservoir 2,or how many doses remain inside said reservoir 2. This information mustbe very accurate, in particular when the fluid is a pharmaceutical, andany risk of under-counting must be eliminated. In the event ofunder-counting, i.e. in the event of the indicator device failing tocount one or more occasions on which a dose of fluid is dispensed infull or in part, the user can end up with a dispenser that indicatesthat one or two doses remain in the reservoir, whereas in reality, thereservoir is empty. In the event of an asthma attack, the user can thusend up with a dispenser that is no longer functional, and that does notenable the user to take the medicine.

The present invention makes it possible to avoid any risk ofunder-counting. To do this, the dose indicator device includes at leastone safety system, and preferably two. The first safety systemguarantees that the dose indicator device is actuated, and thus that thedispensing of a dose of fluid is counted, as soon as the dispenser, onbeing actuated, has traveled along a predetermined incomplete stroke.The second safety system is for preventing a dose from being expelledduring the return stroke of the dispenser, while the dose indicatordevice is not ready to count the next dose. The dosage chamber of thedispenser is generally filled while the dispenser is returning to itsrest position, after a preceding actuation. If the return stroke is notcomplete, but the device is actuated once again before it has returnedto its rest position, it is possible for some fluid to be dispensed.However, if the dose indicator device has not returned to, or close to,its rest position, this dispensing of fluid cannot be counted.Under-counting would thus occur. In order to avoid this, the secondsafety system blocks any new actuation, or at least any new dispensingof fluid. Blocking is performed until the return stroke is sufficientfor the dose indicator device to be actuated once again, and for it tobe able to count the next dose.

In short, the present invention provides one or two safety systems thatavoid any risk of the indicator device under-counting.

Initially, the first safety system is described below with reference toFIGS. 1 to 4.

With reference to these figures, it should be observed that thestationary body 1 includes a stationary gear 110, and that the indicatordevice comprises a counter element 20 for co-operating firstly with saidstationary gear 110 of the body 1, and secondly with the actuator member30 and/or the reservoir 2. More particularly, the counter element 20 isdisplaceable both axially and in rotation relative to the body 1. Thecounter element 20 includes a first gear 210 for co-operating with saidstationary gear 110 of the body, and a second gear 230 for co-operatingwith an actuator gear 300 secured to the actuator member 30.

FIGS. 1 to 4 show the first half of an actuation cycle of the dispenser,i.e. the displacement of the dispenser from the rest position (shown inFIG. 1) to the actuated position (shown in FIG. 4). Thus, when the userpresses on the actuator member 30 so as to displace said actuator memberaxially downwards in FIG. 1, the oblique profile of the teeth of theactuator gear 300 and of the second gear 230 of the counter element urgethe counter element 20 to be displaced axially downwards, and also inrotation because of the oblique profile of the above-mentioned gears.However, while the first gear 210 of the counter element 20 isco-operating with the stationary gear 110 of the body 1, the counterelement 20 is prevented from turning at all. Consequently, at the startof the actuation stroke of the dispenser, and thus of the actuatormember 30, the counter element 20 can be displaced only axially togetherwith the actuator member 30, without being able to turn. When the systemreaches the position shown in FIG. 2, the axial displacement of thecounter element 20 has also caused the reservoir 2 to be displacedaxially over a first fraction of the actuation stroke. In the positionshown in FIG. 2, the first gear 210 of the counter element 20 reaches aposition in which it no longer co-operates with the stationary gear 110of the body 1. As a result, the counter element, which is urged to turnby the force exerted on the actuator member 30, can turn relative to thebody 1. As soon as the counter element starts to turn a little, the doseindicator device is actuated and the counting of one dose of fluid isinitiated. This incomplete axial displacement stroke of the counterelement 20 corresponds to said predetermined incomplete actuation strokeof the dispenser, and more particularly of the reservoir 2. In this typeof dispenser, the dose of fluid is not necessarily expelled at the endof the actuation stroke, but starting from a predetermined incompletestroke, which is itself a function of the displacement of the valvemember, or a function of the displacement of the piston in a pump. Bymaking the co-operation of the first gear 210 of the counter elementwith the stationary gear 110 of the body 1 correspond with saidpredetermined incomplete actuation stroke of the dispenser, it isensured that, as soon as there is any possibility of the fluid beingdispensed from the reservoir 2, then the indicator device counts onedose as being dispensed.

FIG. 3 shows that the stationary gear 110 of the body 1 includesabutment means 115, preferably formed by an axial projectionco-operating with the first gear 210 of the counter element 20, andwhich abutment means cause the counter element to be axially displacedonce again, by a very small but non-zero amount, so as to enablesufficient meshing of the actuator gear 300 in the first step, definedby the abutment 235 on the second gear 230. Thus, the chamber of thedispenser cannot be filled unless the abutment 235 has been passed over.Once it has been passed over, the actuator gear 300 is positioned at thesecond step or the end wall of the second gear 230 of the counterelement 20, before the dispenser chamber is filled, so as to prevent thepharmaceutical from being expelled, as shown in FIG. 6.

Continuing the actuation stroke brings the reservoir 2 into the positionshown in FIG. 4, in which the complete actuation stroke has beenperformed, and the entire dose has been expelled from the reservoir.However, it should be observed that even if the user ceases to exertforce on the actuator member 30 before the end of the complete actuationstroke, the indicator device counts the dispensing of one dose as soonas the incomplete actuation stroke has been performed, so that anyunder-counting is prevented thereby.

With reference to FIGS. 5 to 8, the second stage of the actuation cycleof the dispenser is described below, namely the return from thedispensing position to the rest position (shown in FIG. 8). Withreference to FIG. 5, it should be observed that when the user releasesthe pressure on the actuator member 30, the return spring (not shown) ofthe dispenser returns the reservoir 2 to its rest position by displacingthe reservoir 2 axially relative to the body 1 in the direction oppositeto the direction of the above-described actuation displacement. Thedisplacement of the reservoir 2 causes the counter element 20 to beaxially displaced, so that the first gear 210 comes to co-operate onceagain with the stationary gear 110 of the body 1, but this time via theoblique portions, thereby causing said counter element to turn, so as toterminate the counting cycle of the indicator device. While the counterelement is turning relative to the body 1 during the return stroke, itshould be observed that the actuator member 30 comes to co-operate withthe end wall of the second gear 230 of the counter element 20, whereasduring the actuation stage, the actuator gear 300 co-operates with thefirst step, defined by the abutment 235, formed on said second gear 230of the counter element 20.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an attempt to perform a new actuation beforethe dispenser has completed its return stroke. It should be observedthat the body 1 includes axial projections 120 that co-operate withaxial projections 220 formed on the counter element 20. In a variant,the axial projections 120, 220 can be replaced by gears 122, 222 ofcorresponding shape. Preferably, the axial end-profiles of saidprojections 120 and 220 are formed by planes, and the axial projections120 and 220 are disposed facing each other, at least in part, so that ifthe return stroke of the dispenser is insufficient, it is impossible toexpel a new dose of fluid, as shown in FIG. 6. In order to be able toactuate the dispenser once again, it is necessary for the counterelement 20 to turn sufficiently about its axis of rotation, for saidprojections 120 and 220 to be offset relative to each other, therebyenabling a new actuation. The offset is achieved by freeing the actuatormember 30 from the end wall of the second gear 230 of the counterelement 20, so as to position it facing the first step, defined by theabutment 235 of the following tooth. The new actuation can be permittedbefore the dispenser has completed its return stroke, as soon as theindicator device is once again capable of counting a new actuation ofthe dispenser. The present invention makes it possible to fulfill thisrequirement, as shown in FIG. 7, in which the return stroke is notcomplete, but the actuator member 30 of the dispenser, and in particularthe actuator gear 300, is in a position in which it can co-operate withthe next tooth of the second gear 230 of the counter element, so that anew actuation at this moment causes the counter element to turn throughthe end of its preceding cycle, thereby causing said axial projections120 and 220 to be offset, and thus enabling the dispenser and the doseindicator device to be actuated once again. The aim is to preventexpulsion when the chamber is full, so long as the counter is not readyto count another dose.

In FIG. 8, the device is returned to its initial rest position and a newactuation cycle can be performed.

FIGS. 9 to 12 show a second embodiment of the invention. The secondembodiment differs from the first embodiment as follows: Firstly, thebody 1 includes two stationary gears 110 and 122, and the counterelement 20 includes two gears 210, 222, each co-operating with one ofthe stationary gears of the body. The stationary gear 122 and the gear222 are used in this embodiment in place of the axial projections 120and 220. The actuator member 30 is secured to the reservoir 2, and thecounter element 20 is axially displaceable with said actuator member 30.It can be turned relative to said actuator member 30. In fact, in thesecond embodiment, there is not really an actuator member, but the usergenerally displaces the reservoir 2 itself, relative to the body 1, soas to perform the actuation. The second stationary gear 122 of the body1 and the second gear 222 of the counter element include respectiveportions 121 and 221 that are oblique, at least in part, and saidportions co-operate with each other while the dispenser is beingactuated. The oblique portions urge the counter element 20 to turn, andthus initiate a counting cycle of the dose indicator device. As shown inFIGS. 9 and 10, while the dispenser is being actuated, the counterelement is firstly displaced axially without turning, by being securedto the actuator member 30 and the reservoir 2. Once the dispenser hasperformed the predetermined incomplete actuation stroke, the obliqueportions 121, 221 of the second gears 122, 222 co-operate so as to causethe actuator member to turn, as shown in FIG. 10.

It should be observed that if, in the position shown in FIG. 10, theuser stops actuating the dispenser, the system returns to its restposition by means of a return spring 50, and the counting cycle iscompleted since the first gear 210 of the counter element 20 comes toco-operate with the teeth of the first stationary gear 110 so as to urgethe counter element 20 to turn even more, in order to bring it to theend of its counting cycle. The first safety system is thus provided inthat the actuation of the dose indicator device is ensured as soon asthe dispenser has performed its predetermined incomplete actuationstroke, from which at least some fluid can be dispensed (a full dose oran incomplete dose).

FIG. 11 shows the actuated position in which the complete actuationstroke has been performed, and FIG. 12 shows the second safety means,provided by means of the second stationary gear 122, and the second gear222 of the counter element 20. The two gears also include respectiveplane portions, each having a plane axial end-profile, so that when thereturn stroke of the dispenser is not sufficient, as can be seen in FIG.12, a new actuation of the system brings the counter element 20 intoaxial abutment with the second stationary gear 122 via their planeend-portions, thereby preventing any pharmaceutical from being expelled,by preventing the dispenser from being actuated. It is only once apredetermined incomplete return stroke has been performed that theoblique portions of the second gears 122 and 222 are facing each other,so as to enable the dispenser and the dose indicator device to beactuated once again.

FIGS. 13 to 21 show a third embodiment of the present invention. Thethird embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that the counterelement 20 is not axially secured to the actuator member 30 and to thereservoir. The actuator member 30 and the reservoir 2 include anactuator gear 300 that co-operates with a third gear 230 provided on thecounter element 20. In the third embodiment, turning of the counterelement 20 during the actuation stroke of the dispenser is thus nolonger caused by the second stationary gear 122, but by means of thethird gear 230 and the actuator gear 300. The third embodiment is thus acombination of the first and second embodiments described above. At thestart of actuation, when in the situation in FIG. 13, the co-operationbetween the first stationary gear 110 and the first gear 210 of thecounter element 20, prevents the counter element 20 from turning, andthus causes said counter element to be axially displaced. When in theposition shown in FIG. 14, the above-mentioned first gears no longerco-operate, and the oblique profiles of the teeth of the actuator gear300 and of the third gear 230 of the counter element 20, cause thecounter element 20 to turn. This takes place after said incompleteactuation stroke of the dispenser, after which a complete or incompletedose of fluid can be dispensed. FIG. 15 shows that if the axialactuation force is eliminated at this moment, the return spring 50causes the counter element to turn through its complete counting cycle,thereby preventing any risk of under-counting.

FIG. 16 shows the final actuated position in which the completeactuation stroke has been performed. At this moment, when the userreleases the actuation force on the actuator member 30, the system risesunder the effect of the return spring 50, and the co-operation betweenthe first gears 210 and 110 of the counter element 20 and the body 1,respectively, causes the counter element to continue to turn. Thiscontinued turning is blocked in the actuator gear 300 by abutment means305. With reference to FIG. 18, if in this position the user pressesonce again on the actuator member 30, it should be observed thatactuation of the dispenser and of the counter device is prevented as aresult of the second gear 222 of the counter element, and the secondstationary gear 122 of the body 1, facing each other at their planeaxial end-profiles. FIG. 19 shows an attempt to perform an actuationwhile the second safety system is operational. For the dispenser and thedose indicator device to be actuated once again, it is necessary toperform a predetermined incomplete return stroke, which is shown in FIG.20. If from this position the user actuates again, the counter element20 would turn, thereby enabling the dispenser and the indicator deviceto be actuated once again.

Finally, FIG. 21 shows the position in which such an attempt to performan additional actuation is made, after said incomplete return stroke hasbeen completed.

Naturally the detailed description of the three embodiments given aboveis not limiting, and other embodiments can be envisaged without goingbeyond the ambit of the present invention, as defined by theaccompanying claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A fluid dispenser comprising: a stationarybody (1) including at least one stationary gear (110, 122), a fluidreservoir (2) disposed in said body so as to be axially displaceablerelative to said body, a dispenser member mounted on said reservoir (2),and a dose indicator device, including a counter element (20) that isdisplaceable axially and in rotation relative to said body (1), forindicating the number of doses of fluid that have been dispensed or thatremain to be dispensed from said reservoir, wherein said counter element(20) cooperates, while the dispenser is being actuated, firstly withsaid at least one stationary gear (110, 122) of said body, and secondlywith said reservoir (2), so that the dose indicator device is actuatedonce the dispenser has performed a predetermined incomplete actuationstroke, even if the dispenser does not perform a complete actuationstroke.
 2. A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein, during the returnstroke of the dispenser after dispensing a dose, said dose indicatordevice prevents the fluid from being expelled again until said dispenserhas completed a predetermined incomplete return stroke, said dispenserand said dose indicator device being capable of being actuated onceagain, once the predetermined incomplete return stroke has beenperformed, even if the dispenser does not perform the complete returnstroke and said dispenser is actuated once again before returning to itrest position.
 3. A dispenser according to claim 1, in which said body(1) includes a stationary gear (110) co-operating with a first gear(210) of said counter element (20), said counter element (20) includinga second gear (230) co-operating with an actuator gear (300) of anactuator member (30) of the dispenser, the teeth of said second gear(230) and/or of said actuator gear (300) being made so that axialdisplacement of the actuator member causes said counter element (20) tobe displaced axially and in rotation, the stationary gear (110)preventing said counter element (20) from turning until said counterelement (20) no longer co-operates with said stationary gear (110),after a predetermined axial displacement of said counter element (20)corresponding to said predetermined incomplete actuation stroke of thedispenser.
 4. A dispenser according to claim 3, in which the stationarygear (110) includes abutment means (115) preventing said counter element(20) from turning once said counter element (20) has turned at least inpart, an additional axial displacement of said counter element (20)being necessary to enable it to continue to turn and/or to return theindicator device to its rest position.
 5. A dispenser according to claim4, in which said abutment means (115) comprise an axial projection.
 6. Adispenser according to claim 1, in which said stationary gear (110)and/or said counter element (20) include(s) blocking means preventingthe dispenser from being actuated once again, and thus preventing anypharmaceutical from being expelled once again, while the counter element(20) is returning to its rest position after a preceding actuation, anduntil the dispenser has completed a predetermined incomplete returnstroke, after which the indicator device can count the next dose.
 7. Adispenser according to claim 6, in which said blocking means compriseaxial projections (120, 220) provided on the body (1) and on the counterelement (20) respectively, each of said projections (120, 220) having anaxial end-profile that is planar, said projections (120, 220) facingeach other, at least in part, until the counter element has turnedsufficiently to offset said projections (120, 220), with that sufficientturn corresponding to said predetermined incomplete return stroke of thedispenser.
 8. A dispenser according to claim 3, in which the teeth ofthe second gear (230) of the counter element (20) include anintermediate step (235), the actuator member (30) co-operating with saidstep (235) while the dispenser is being actuated, and co-operating withthe end wall of said second gear (230) while returning to the restposition, after being actuated, the displacement between theintermediate step (235) and the end wall being obtained by said counterelement (20) turning.
 9. A dispenser according to claim 3, in which,once the predetermined incomplete return stroke has been performed, theactuator member (30) is positioned facing the following tooth of thesecond gear (230) of the counter element (20), enabling the dispenserand the dose indicator device to be actuated once again.
 10. A dispenseraccording to claim 1, in which said body (1) includes a first stationarygear (110) and a second stationary gear (122), said counter element (20)including a first gear (210) for co-operating with said first stationarygear (110) and a second gear (222) for co-operating with said secondstationary gear (122), said counter element (20) being put axially intocontact with an actuator member (30) of the dispenser by means of areturn spring (50) and being turnable relative to said actuator member(30), the teeth of said second gear (222) and of said second stationarygear (122) being oblique, at least in part, so that an axialdisplacement of the actuator member (30) initially causes said counterelement (20) to be displaced axially over a predetermined incompleteactuation stroke until the oblique portion (221) of said second gear(222) of the counter element (20) co-operates with said oblique portion(121) of said second stationary gear (122), causing the counter element(20) to be turned over a first portion of a turn cycle, the teeth ofsaid first gear (210) and of said first stationary gear (110) beingoblique, at least in part, so that when the counter element (20) returnsto its rest position, it is caused to turn so as to terminate its turncycle, which corresponds to one actuation of the dispenser beingcounted.
 11. A dispenser according to claim 10, in which said first andsecond stationary gears (110, 122) of the body (1) and/or said first andsecond gears (210, 222) of the counter element (20) are offset relativeto each other, so that whenever the counter element (20) is displaceablein rotation, returning said counter element to its rest position withoutterminating the actuation stroke of the dispenser causes the counterelement (20) to turn over its complete turn cycle, guaranteeing that oneactuation of the dispenser is counted after said predeterminedincomplete actuation stroke.
 12. A dispenser according to claim 10, inwhich said second stationary gear (122) of the body (1) and/or saidsecond gear (222) of the counter element (20) include(s) blocking meanspreventing the dispenser from being actuated once again, and thuspreventing pharmaceutical from being expelled once again, while thecounter element (20) is returning to its rest position following apreceding actuation, and until said dispenser has performed apredetermined incomplete return stroke, after which the indicator devicecan count the next dose.
 13. A dispenser according to claim 12, in whichsaid blocking means have an axial end-profile that is planar, at leastin part, and that is formed on the teeth of said second stationary gear(122) of the body (1) and on the teeth of said second gear (222) of thecounter element (20), said planar profiles of said teeth facing eachother, at least in part, until the counter element (20) has completed aturn that is sufficient to offset said teeth, with that sufficient turncorresponding to said predetermined incomplete return stroke of thedispenser.
 14. A dispenser according to claim 10, in which said actuatormember (30) of the dispenser is secured to said reservoir (2) and isdisplaced axially therewith.
 15. A dispenser according to claim 1, inwhich said body (1) includes a first stationary gear (110) and a secondstationary gear (122), said counter element (20) comprising a first gear(210) for co-operating with said first stationary gear (110), a secondgear (222) for co-operating with said second stationary gear (122), anda third gear (230) for co-operating with an actuator gear (300) securedto an actuator member (30) of the dispenser, the teeth of said thirdgear (230) and/or of said actuator gear (300) being made so that axialdisplacement of the actuator member (30) causes said counter element(20) to be displaced axially and in rotation, the first stationary gear(110) preventing said counter element (20) from turning until saidcounter element (20) no longer co-operates with said stationary gear(110), after a predetermined axial displacement of said counter element(20) corresponding to said predetermined incomplete actuation stroke ofthe dispenser.
 16. A dispenser according to claim 15, in which saidsecond stationary gear (122) of the body (1) and/or said second gear(222) of the counter element (20) include(s) blocking means preventingthe dispenser from being actuated once again, and thus preventing anypharmaceutical from being expelled once again, while the counter element(20) is returning to its rest position following a preceding actuation,until said dispenser has performed a predetermined incomplete returnstroke, after which the indicator device can count the next dose.
 17. Adispenser according to claim 16, in which said blocking means have anaxial end-profile that is planar and that is formed on the teeth of saidsecond stationary gear (122) and on the teeth of said second gear (222),said teeth facing each other, at least in part, until the counterelement (20) has completed a turn that is sufficient to offset saidteeth, with that sufficient turn corresponding to said predeterminedincomplete return stroke of the dispenser.
 18. A dispenser according toclaim 16, in which said actuator gear (300) includes abutment means(305) limiting the extent to which the counter element (20) can turn,until the actuator member (30) has performed said predeterminedincomplete return stroke.
 19. A dispenser according to claim 18, inwhich said abutment means (305) comprise an axial projection formed onsaid actuator gear (300).
 20. A dispenser according to claim 15, inwhich said actuator member (30) of the dispenser is secured to saidreservoir (2) and is displaced axially therewith.
 21. A dispenseraccording to claim 1, wherein the dispenser member is a pump or a valve.22. A fluid dispenser comprising: a stationary body (1) including atleast one stationary gear (110, 122); a fluid reservoir (2) disposed insaid body so as to be axially displaceable relative to said body; adispenser member mounted on said reservoir (2), being actuated when saidreservoir is axially displaced relative to the stationary body by apredetermined amount, for dispensing a dose of fluid from saidreservoir; a dose indicator device for indicating the number of doses offluid that have been dispensed or that remain to be dispensed from saidreservoir, said dose indicator device including a counter element (20)that is displaceable axially and in rotation relative to said body (1),wherein when the dispenser member is actuated, said counter elementcooperates firstly with said at least one stationary gear (110, 122) andsecondly with said reservoir (2); first safety means for actuating thedose indicator device once the dispenser has performed a predeterminedincomplete actuation stroke, even if the dispenser does not perform acomplete actuation stroke; and second safety means for preventing thefluid from being expelled again until said dispenser has completed thepredetermined incomplete return stroke, said dispenser and said doseindicator device being capable of being actuated once again, once thepredetermined incomplete return stroke has been performed, even if thedispenser does not perform the complete return stroke and said dispenseris actuated once again before returning to its rest position.